Rumor: Chevrolet to Release “Low Cost” C7 Corvette Coupe to Slot In Under Stingray

February 28, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Color us highly skeptical on this highly speculative rumor from Motor Trend that GM has plans to introduce a lower cost “Corvette Coupe” model to slide in under the Stingray in the C7 Corvette lineup.

This “Corvette Coupe” model would purportedly be powered by a 5.3-liter V8 producing less than 400 horsepowers (instead of the Stingray’s 6.2L V8 LT1 engine), with pricing potentially starting under $50,000.

They cited no source for this rumor. Read on inside…

C7 Corvette Chief Engineer Explains Why 6 Speed Auto Transmission Chosen

February 27, 2013 at 4:30 pm

C7 Corvette Stingray chief engineer Tadge Juechter explains the choice to go with a 6 speed automatic transmission (and not 8 speed) for the 2014 Corvette – see 10:30 into this video.

Essentially, the reason is that the 6 speed is good for high torque engine like the LT1, while fitting an 8 speed just adds weight and mass.

Faces of GM: Jordan Lee, Chief Engineer and Program Manager of new LT1 V8 engine

February 26, 2013 at 6:00 pm

Check out this GM profile feature on Mr. Jordan Lee, the Chief Engineer and Program Manager of 2014 Corvette Stingray’s new LT1 V8 engine

Jordan Lee has a long history with the fifth-generation small block engine.

Hennessey C7 Corvette Stingray to feature up to 1000HP twin-turbo kit

February 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm

Hennessey Performance sets the bar high for its upcoming tuning packages for the 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray by promising up to as much 1000 HP for the new Stingray.

Besides these figures, details are scant so far, but the Texas based tuner promises it can supercharge the 6.2L LT1 V8 engine in the 2014 Corvette Stingray to produce approximately 700 HP, while a twin-turbocharger kit will offer anywhere from 800 to 1000 HP (up from 450 HP in the factory 2014 Corvette).

360 Degree C7 Corvette Stingray Interior Panorama

February 25, 2013 at 8:00 am

Haven’t had a chance to see the 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray in person yet?

Get a great preview of the interior from this 360 degree interior panorama.


Spied: First C7 Corvette Stingray with Racing Stripes! Possible Grand Sport Model?

February 21, 2013 at 2:06 pm

An enticing C7 Corvette test car has just been spied in the midst of winter-testing, rocking silver stripes on top of its Velocity Yellow paint job (in the backroads of Michigan). [Full Photo Set].

This prototype gives us our first look yet at a racing-striped C7, and how it will interplay with the car’s new lines and its blacked-out trim. The question remains, is this just a test-striped early C7 build, or is there any chance that this a new trim level, like a C7 Grand Sport? We don’t have a smoking gun that this is an alternate C7 performance package, but in the online colorizer that Chevrolet provided to paint your own Corvette, there were no provisions for adding any additional striping to the Stingray.

Next is the fact that while this C7 looks throughly badged-out, there is no Stingray badge on either front fender. While it could be an early-build oversight, we can’t help but be intrigued by the omission of the Stingray on this test ‘Vette.

Finally, we can see clear evidence of a car cover piled up in the rear cargo of this prototype. It would seem that Chevrolet is in full PR mode on the C7 Stingray at this point, so parking them around, uncovered, would seem to be a great eye-catcher to capture the public’s attention. Is this car cover at the ready to keep prying eyes from discovering a new C7 variant? Seems plausible, and follows perfectly the protocol that was followed by Corvette test teams which were caught on test runs during the C7′s development period.

When it comes to the prospect of spotting the next C7 variant after the Stingray, we can’t leave anything to chance and disregard the anomalies found on this particular C7 test car.

[Full Photo Set Inside]

2014 Stingray Revealed: DRIVING EXPERIENCE | 2014 Corvette (Best Listen at C7 Yet)

February 21, 2013 at 11:37 am

Newest (and best, in our opinion) installment of the “2014 Stingray Revealed” series from GM. This one features the driving experience of the C7 Corvette Stingray.

Per GM: The 2014 Corvette Stingray transforms the driving experience. Everything changes. Five distinct, selectable driver modes. Real-time performance data. An Electronic Limited Slip Differential. Integrated driving technology. All calibrated to instill confidence in the driver.

The video feature gives us the best listen yet at the C7 Corvette, both at startup and while in motion. Check it out inside!

ZR1 Corvette Stingray C7 Imagined

February 20, 2013 at 1:24 pm

Here are some newest renders of a C7 Corvette ZR1 supercar, complete with hood power bump, carbon fiber splitter, sideskirts, ducktail traunk spoiler, extra ducts/vents in front fascia and the rear wheel fender (ahead of the rear wheels).

The C7 ZR1 was recently rumored to potentially be coming with 700 HP.

Rumors: ZR1 Corvette Stingray C7 could crack 700 HP, while Z06 hit 600 HP

February 19, 2013 at 11:44 am

Motor Trend speculates (without citing any hard source other than “Word is”) that the next Z06 Corvette Stingray C7 will keep the 7.0L engine, but see a power jump from 505 hp to as high as 600, while the ZR1 Corvette Stingray with its V8 (an evolution of the new LT1 V-8 in the base C7) may push 700 hp!

They say that the final numbers for each model will be as follows: If the ZR1 makes 675 hp or so, the Z06 will get 550. If the ZR1 cracks 700 hp, the Z06 will crack 600.

Discuss with us INSIDE.

2014 Corvette Stingray to Make West Coast Debut at Peterson Auto Museum in LA (March 1-2, 2013)

February 19, 2013 at 9:34 am

It’s just been confirmed that the newest C7 Corvette will be introduced to the west coast at the 60th Anniversary Corvette Celebration, which is open to the public. The Stingray will be on display at the gala dinner, which will also feature a presentation and Q&A session by Corvette’s lead exterior designer.

Full details after the jump.